A set of busty and bouncy superheroines takes down monstrous mutilated males in Rise of the Super Tromettes, directed by Mercedes the Muse. Now on Blu-ray by Troma and MVD.
Rise of the Tromettes, written, directed, and starring Mercedes the Muse, is pretty much unreviewable. Anyone sitting down to watch this sort of Troma flick, deep in their style, knows what impressive crudities they are getting into. But even then, knowing that going against Sgt Kabukiman, the Toxic Avenger, and the various characters across their films, one can still ask, is it an entertaining Tromatic superhero(ine) adventure?
Honestly, a bit mixed, leaning on the negative. Often highly entertaining, but with some reservations about trying to force the style like many films outside their system, I get on for trying too hard. But, coming from within, there’s the heart and interest; but even if things fall a little flat, it lands well enough. Think of the Toxie 2 and 3 levels, slightly off but still good enough.
The story, as it were: something is mutating the men of Tromaville, turning their penises into rape monsters. Trroma fans might guess correctly: they’re using the reused monster penis from various productions (and speaking of reused – THAT crash is reused). Only the SuperTromettes can stop them and reverse the damage. They are DD, played by #Shakespeare’s Shitstorm’s Elizabeth D’Ambrosio, whose power is science-minded and butt-kicker Mercy, played by writer-director Mercedes the Muse, with later Knoctty Peach’s Hypergirl, whose power is annoyance, and Techyno, the wheelchair-bound tech genius played by Jane Therailt, can stop them. Along the way, they bounce their boobs, covered and uncovered, simulate sex acts, kick ass, tear dicks, and lean into the trauma crudity; this time from more of a female-led method. I appreciate that. And I wish I appreciated it more, even as a Troma film.
It’s fun, but flawed; if one can really note something like this. It has a weird anti-vaxx streak that feels legit, and not satire of the era. It lacks the spark of Kaufman’s films. It’s not fair to compare to answer Lloyd after decades like #Shakespeare’s Shitstomrm, but earlier flicks like the comparable Toxic Avenger (which gets several shoutouts). Speaking of the Face of Troma, Lloyd Kaufman, lovingly called “Uncle Lloyd” in the film, provides the narration. And man, does Kaufman sound lethargic. Where’s the energy he normally has? Someone call Harrison Ford in Blade Runner! But I do dig the fuck you energy, the go for broke styling, and reveling in the expectations of the studio. And yes, plenty of goopy gore and other fluids.
Rise of the Tromettes (btw, the Tromette moniker is from the Troma webpages past where they’d highlight a female fan) is a mostly fun, but uneven, new Troma film, getting everything to be expected from Troma. While it might feel like lesser Troma, it’s still an often raucous blast, and highlights an up-and-comer in Troma in Mercedes the Muse, who is tapped for Poltrygeist 2 soon.
The Packaging
Troma Entertainment puts Rise of the Tromettes on a single-disc Blu-ray with the title and image on the disc. It’s in a standard Blu-ray case with a single-sided sleeve with the drawn cover.
The Presentation
Rise of the Tromettes is decent looking, as best can be on a cheaply done on-the-fly shoot. It does the job fine. The sound is often fuzzy with a hum. In English. It opens with the Russia vs Toxie short.
The Features
Coming in pretty light for Troma.
Introduction
Kaufman meets the Tromettes (1m)
Super Tromettes Making-of Mini Doc
A quick and dirty making of, showing the low-budget and what Mercedes had to get it made. I dig it. (4m)
Mercedes the Muse’s Totally Toxic Tour
She shows off her Toxie merch. Jealous! (5m)
Tromatic Features
Includes several across Troma features found on most releases, including trailers and Troma in Albania.
Final Thoughts
I wish I liked Rise of the Tromettes more than I did. It’s enjoyable but lesser Troma. But it does show something in director Mercedes the Muse that might click more in the next go around. It’s light on features as well, but the disc itself is listed for pretty cheap. Check it out if you like Troma, but temper for Toxie.